Mt Blanc Trekking

The TMB, Europe’s greatest walkThe  European  Alps  offer  some  of  the  most  spectacular  and  enjoyable  walking  in  the  world  and  this  adventure  

offers  the  chance  to  combine  three  countries  into  one  trip  as  we  cross  the  rugged  Alps  from  Switzerland  to  

France  and  Italy.  The  trek  around  Mt.  Blanc  is  one  of  Europe's  best  mountain  walks  and  you'll  get  a  chance  to  

appreciate  the  different  cultures,  foods  and  peoples  whilst  you  hike  through  glorious  Alpine  scenery.

The  spectacular  circuit  around  Mont-­‐Blanc,  one  of  the  world's  classic  hikes,  demands  some  respect.  From  the  

massif  of  Mont  Blanc  (4801m-­‐  the  highest  mountain  in  western  Europe),  seven  valleys  extend  

into  France,  Italy  and  Switzerland.  Each  valley  retains  its  own  unique  culture,  architecture  and  

landscape  and  it's  through  these  valleys  we  will  hike.  Each  day  we  hike  up  to  the  ridges  and  

descend  into  valleys  below,  with  Ome  to  enjoy  views  of  glaciers,  green  mountain  meadows  and  

snow  capped  peaks.

Mt Blanc Trek

VARIETY 3 COUNTRIES, ENDLESS VISTAS, WILDLIFE, HISTORYFOOD AND CULTURE ARE WHAT MAKES THE TMB UNIQUE

MONT BLANC MASSIF The TMB is a circuit around the Mt. Blanc Massifand is usually walked in a anti - clockwise directionbut can be done in either. Allow a full 10/11 days to walk the complete circuit.

Food - a real highlight! Unlike  many  other  high  mountain  treks  where  you  have  to  eat  

whatever  is  to  hand  and  it’s  oRen  quite  basic,  the  food  on  the  TMB  is  

a  real  treat  and  a  highlight  of  the  trip.  France  is  jusOfiably  famous  for  

it’s  cuisine  and  cheeses,  there  is  ample  opportuniOes  to  sample  the  

renowned  mountain  cheese  that  are  produced  here.  At  the  end  of  

along  day’s  trek  call  into  a  rusOc  mountain  farmhouse  and  sample  

their  award  winning  cheese  then  wash  it  down  with  a  glass  of  Gamay  

or  a  boUle  of  1664  beer!  

The  refugios  that  we  stay  at  serve  us  breakfast  and  dinner,  and  

whilst  the  breakfasts  tend  to  be  quite  simple  (  we  supplement  with  

our  own  supplies  and  fresh  fruit)  the  dinners  are  a  more  elaborate  3  

or  4  course  affair  of  local  produce-­‐  delicious!  We  take  picnic  lunches  

outdoors  and  every  day  buy  fresh  supplies  so  that  you  can  make  

delicious  bagueUes  crammed  with  several  varieOes  of  local  meats,  

cheeses  and  fresh  vegetables.  

Many  refugios  along  the  route  offer  fresh  baked  tarts  of  local  berries  and  coffee  or  tea  to  your  taste.  And  

once  you’ve  worked  up  an  appeOte  trekking  through  the  mountains  it  always  tastes  beUer  than  usual.  Another  

nice  aspect  of  the  Tour  de  Mont  Blanc  is  the  availability  of  alcohol  and  other  drinks  at  the  end  of  the  day.  Where  

else  in  the  world  could  you  expect  to  find  a  fresh  espresso  or  draught  Belgian  beer  at  the  top  of  a  2,500m  pass?    

In  a  word  -­‐  Superb!  

Mt Blanc Treks

How hard is the TMB to walk?The  TMB  presents  a  decent  challenge  to  walk  in  it’s  en6rety  and  you  should  possess  a  reasonably  good  level  of  

fitness  and  mountain  walking  competence  to  tackle  it.  There  are  a  combined  9,500m  of  ascents  and  a  similar  

amount  of  descents  over  the  complete  circuit.  

The  passes  or  Cols  as  they  are  known  locally  vary  from  2,400  to  2665m  depending  on  the  route  chosen  

(  there  are  one  or  two  variaOons  on  offer  with  certain  secOons)  and  typically  take  an  hour  or  two  of  steady  

ascent  to  get  over.  Trail  condiOons  are  generally  good  and  paths  are  easy  to  follow  for  the  most  part,  with  

waymarkers  placed  at  forks  or  juncOons.

You  should  be  prepared  to  walk  for  5  -­‐7  hours  each  day  and  it’s  essenOal  that  your  preparaOon  

for  the  trip  include  walks  of  this  duraOon  over  steep  mountain  terrain  with  the  gear  you’ll  take  to  

Mont  Blanc.  The  trip  is  definitely  a  good  challenge  for  a  person  of    average  walking  ability  and  you  

will  get  a  great  sense  of  achievement  from  compleOng  it.  There  is  a  support  vehicle  that  is  used  to  

transport  our  main  luggage  each  day  and  you  can  also  opt  to  have  a  rest  day  at  any  Ome  by  skipping  

a  secOon  and  riding  in  the  van.  

Mt Blanc Treks

Great Ocean Walk

Mt Blanc treks

REFUGIOS Refuigios are your mountaintop home on the TMBOften quite basic with dorm beds they are in stunning locations

ALPINE WILDFLOWERSTHE  TMB  presents  a  riot  of  spectacular  colour  in  

the  early  months  of  

summer  as  the  Alpine  wildflowers  come  into  

bloom.  It  can  only  be  described  as  an  

explosion  of  life  as  the  

hillsides  are  thickly  carpeted  with  a  blaze  of  

flowers  of  every  type  and  colour.  

Alpine  wildflowers  are  among  nature's  greatest  

anomalies.  They  grow  in  some  of  the  planet's  

harshest  environments,  

though  they  appear  as  fragile  as  rice  paper  and  

are  extremely  vulnerable  to  hikers'  boots.

Forget-­‐me-­‐nots,  GenOans,  Globeflowers,

Daisies,  Orchids,  Genepi  (from  which  the  local  

digesOf  is  made,  a  great  

aRer  dinner  drink!)  Other  Alpine  flowers  are  

collected  and  used  for  their  delicate  perfume.

June  and  Early  July  offer  the  best  Ome  to  see  the  

Alpine  flora,  which  has  to  be  seen  to  be  believed.  

Great Ocean Walk

Meet the local residents!The TMB is very unique by way of the fact that it passes through 3 different countries: France, Switzerland and Italy, each with it’s own distinct culture and traditions. This can be reflected through the historical architecture of Baroque French churches of Haute Savoie or the unmistakeable Swiss cottages bedecked with flowers which you’ll pass through in the valleys, walking through the narrow village streets is a delight.

The refuges that we stay at are often family run affairs and reflect the mountain culture of the people and give you glimpse of what once was a hard and spartan life. Old farming implements now adorn farm refuges as decorations and sometimes your accommodation may have been a former milking shed. In some French refuges you may be lucky enough to have the local patron entertain you with an accordion after dinner and listen to your fellow hikers sing along!

The other locals that you’ll meet are the Alpine wildlife such as the prolific marmots, ibex and the rarer Chamois which inhabit the high alpine slopes. It’s not uncommon to see ibex up close as you trek in the valleys above Chamonix.

Mt. Blanc Treks

When To Go?The  TMB  has  a  limited  season  from  Mid  June  to  September  when  the  snow  is  clear  from  the  high  passes.  

The  high  mountain  areas  have  their  own  disOncOve  climates,  with  heavier  precipitaOon  and  generally  colder  temperatures  than  the  rest  of  the  country  throughout  the  year.    At  elevaOons  of  1500  m  and  above,  snow  will  usually  remain  on  the  ground  from  November  unOl  as  late  as  May  or  June,  parOcularly  in  areas  above  2000  m.  In  summer,  the  climate  is  generally  hot  and  sunny  in  the  lower  valleys,  with  temperatures  in  mid  -­‐  high  20s  and  pleasantly  cool  higher  up.  

Mt Blanc trek

Great Ocean Walk

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